Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application

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  Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application Abstract Global food supply strongly depends on honeybee pollination services, which are threatened by insecticides and pests such as parasitic Varroa destructor mites. Chemical varroacides/acaricides are hampered by resistance development, necessitating the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, with arthropod venom peptides being considered promising sources of acaricidal toxins. With only a few acaricidal venom peptides being reported, we performed a systematic topical screening of 50 arthropod venoms against V. destructor , with 78% of the venoms causing 100% mortality after 24 h. Deconvolution of the venoms from the Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes and the Giant Japanese funnel-web spider Gigathele gigas led to identification of the varroacidal peptides Ht1a and Gg1a. Topical application of Ht1a and Gg1a reduced varroa mite ...

Biological Activities of Scorpion Venom and Hemolymph from Two Armenian Species

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By Per-Anders Olsson - Per-Anders Olsson (used with permission), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79273

Biological Activities of Scorpion Venom and Hemolymph from Two Armenian Species

Abstract
Armenia is home to a rich diversity of unique species. Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of biologically active compounds that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Recent studies have confirmed that scorpion venom contains antimicrobial peptides effective against various bacteria. Additionally, it exhibits immunosuppressive and anticancer properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the composition and selected biological activities of venom from two scorpion species native to Armenia. The proteolytic and hemolytic activities of venom and hemolymph from Mesobuthus caucasicus and Androctonus crassicauda scorpions were analyzed using 12% SDS-PAGE. Protein fractions were separated based on their molecular weight under denaturing conditions. Antibacterial activity of the crude venom, hemolymph, and isolated protein fractions was assessed using the agar diffusion method. The venom and hemolymph of Mesobuthus caucasicus and Androctonus crassicauda exhibit narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity. Notably, the protein composition of venom and hemolymph differs between the two species. Antibacterial effects are attributed to only two specific protein and/or glycoprotein fractions present in the venom. Furthermore, nutritional status appears to influence the protein profile of both venom and hemolymph. In addition to their antimicrobial properties, the venom and hemolymph also demonstrate proteolytic and hemolytic activities. The venom and hemolymph of Mesobuthus caucasicus and Androctonus crassicauda demonstrate distinct protein compositions and exhibit significant antibacterial, proteolytic, and hemolytic activities, highlighting their potential for biotechnological and therapeutic applications.

Biological Activities of Scorpion Venom and Hemolymph from Two Armenian Species. (2025). Journal of Innovative Solutions for Eco-Environmental Sustainability, 029. https://doi.org/10.46991/JISEES.2025.SI1.029